Consumption Tracker for a Fluid Container

ABSTRACT

A container is provided that includes a consumption tracker. The consumption tracker is moveable among multiple positions. The consumption tracker includes an indicator that points to characters on the container. The characters correspond to the positions of the consumption tracker and indicate a number of portions of a substance consumed from the container.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 60/952,414, filed Jul. 27, 2007.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 60/982,236, filed Oct. 24, 2007.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of containers, including, more particularly, a liquid container that includes a consumption tracker.

BACKGROUND

There is a need for a refillable fluid container from which people directly consume fluids, the fluid container including or carrying a consumption tracker by which the user can easily track his/her fluid consumption over a period of time or during an activity.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Each patent, patent application, and/or publication mentioned in this specification is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to the same extent as if each individual patent, patent application, and/or publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a container cap that includes a consumption tracker, under an embodiment.

FIG. 2 shows the cap and consumption tracker connected to an orifice in a portion of a fluid container in such a manner as to contain fluid within the container, under an embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows a container cap that includes a consumption tracker, under an alternative embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows the cap and consumption tracker connected to an orifice in a portion of a fluid container in such a manner as to contain fluid within the container, under an alternative embodiment.

FIG. 5A is a side view of a container system including a consumption tracker and fluid container, under an embodiment.

FIG. 5B is a side cutaway view of a container system including a consumption tracker and fluid container, under an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a container system including a consumption tracker and fluid container, under an embodiment.

FIG. 7 shows perspective views of a container system including a consumption tracker and fluid container, under an embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of a consumption tracker configured for connection to an outer portion of a container, under an embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of the consumption tracker configured for connection to an outer portion of a container, under an embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a side perspective view of a consumption tracker configured for connection to an outer portion of a container, under an alternative embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A container is provided in an embodiment that includes a consumption tracker. The consumption tracker is moveable among multiple positions. The consumption tracker includes an indicator that points to characters on the container. Alternatively, the consumption tracker includes an indicator that points to characters on a region of the consumption tracker. The characters correspond to the positions of the consumption tracker and indicate a number of portions of a substance consumed from the container.

A container is provided in an alternative embodiment that includes a cap with a consumption tracker. The consumption tracker is a moveable portion of the cap that is moveable among positions in the cap. The consumption tracker includes an indicator that points to characters on the cap. Alternatively, the consumption tracker includes an indicator that points to characters on the container. The characters correspond to the positions and indicate a number of portions of a substance consumed from the container.

In the following description, numerous specific details are introduced to provide a thorough understanding of, and enabling description for, embodiments of the consumption tracker. One skilled in the relevant art, however, will recognize that these embodiments can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other components, systems, etc. In other instances, well-known structures or operations are not shown, or are not described in detail, to avoid obscuring aspects of the disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows a container cap 100 that includes a consumption tracker 110, under an embodiment. The cap 100 includes a lower portion 100L configured as appropriate to the type of container with which it is to be coupled or mated (e.g., screw fitting, plug, cap, snap-on, seal, etc.). The cap also includes an upper portion 100U configured to be grasped by a person for purposes of attaching or detaching the cap from a container.

The cap 100 of an embodiment includes an integrated consumption tracker 110. The consumption tracker 110 comprises a dial 112 rotatably coupled to or connected within a center portion of the cap 100 along with a series of characters 114 (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, etc.) along an outer region or outer perimeter of the cap 100. Alternatively, the dial 112 may be moveably coupled to another portion (e.g., outer, top exterior, side, etc.) of the cap 100 along with a series of characters 114 positioned adjacent to the dial. The series of characters 114 can include any sequence of numbers, letters, and/or symbols having any length, where the series of characters 114 represents at least one of a number of portions of a substance, an amount of a substance, and a quantity of a substance consumed from the container. The dial 112 may include detents (not shown) that allow an indicator 116 located on the dial to be securely positioned adjacent to each of the characters 114. Furthermore, the dial 112 includes at least one area 118 configured to allow a user to rotate the dial 112 among the multiple positions represented by each of the series of characters 114.

FIG. 2 shows the cap 100 with the integrated consumption tracker 110 connected to an opening in a portion of a fluid container 120 in such a manner as to completely contain fluid within the container 120, under an embodiment. The fluid container 120 to which the cap 100 of an embodiment mates can include any container configured to contain a fluid. As an example, the fluid container 120 may have any configuration (e.g., cylindrical, hourglass, un-insulated, insulated, etc.) and any size (e.g., 8 ounces, 12 ounces, 16 ounces, etc.), and may comprise any material (e.g., metal, plastic, glass, ceramic, composite, etc.) as appropriate to the fluid for which the container 120 is intended.

In operation, a user wishing to track his/her water consumption over a period of time fills the container 120 with fluid and positions the indicator 116 adjacent to the “1” character. The indicator 116 in this position indicates to the user that the container 120 is holding the first amount of liquid to be consumed. Upon consuming all fluid in the container 120, the user refills the container 120 with fluid and rotates or positions the indicator 116 adjacent to the “2” character. The indicator 116 in this position indicates to the user that the container 120 is holding the second amount of liquid to be consumed in the period. The user continues operation of the consumption tracker 110 in this manner until the end of the period of interest.

Alternatively, a user wishing to track his/her water consumption over a period of time fills the container 120 with fluid and positions the indicator 116 adjacent to the “1” character. The indicator 116 in this position indicates to the user that the container 120 is ready for a first portion of liquid to be consumed. Upon consuming the first portion of liquid, the user positions the indicator 116 adjacent to the “2” character; the indicator 116 in this position indicates to the user that the container 120 is ready for a second portion of liquid to be consumed. The user continues operation of the consumption tracker 110 in this manner until all trackable portions are exhausted.

FIG. 3 shows a container cap 300 that includes a consumption tracker 310, under an alternative embodiment. The cap 300 includes a lower portion 300L configured as appropriate to the type of container with which it is to be coupled or mated (e.g., screw fitting, plug, cap, snap-on, seal, etc.). The cap 300 also includes an upper portion 300U configured to be grasped by a person for purposes of attaching or detaching the cap 300 from a container.

The cap 300 of an embodiment includes an integrated consumption tracker 310. The consumption tracker 310 comprises a dial 312 rotatably coupled to an inner portion of the cap 300 along with a series of characters 314 along an outer perimeter of the cap 300. Alternatively, the dial 312 may be moveably coupled to another portion (e.g., outer, top exterior, side, etc.) of the cap 300 along with a series of characters 314 positioned adjacent to the dial. The series of characters 314 can include any sequence of numbers, letters, and/or symbols having any length, where the series of characters 314 represents at least one of a number of portions of a substance, an amount of a substance, and a quantity of a substance consumed from the container. The dial 312 may include detents (not shown) that allow an indicator 316 located on the dial 312 to be securely positioned adjacent to each of the characters 314. Furthermore, the dial 312 includes at least one extension of extended portion 318 configured to allow a user to grasp and rotate the dial 312 among the multiple positions represented by the series of characters 314.

FIG. 4 shows the cap 300 and consumption tracker 310 connected to an opening in a portion of a fluid container 320 in such a manner as to completely contain fluid within the container 320, under an alternative embodiment. The container 320 to which the cap 300 of an embodiment mates can include any container configured to contain a fluid. As an example, the container 320 may have any configuration (e.g., cylindrical, hourglass, un-insulated, insulated, etc.) and any size (e.g., 8 ounces, 12 ounces, 16 ounces, etc.), and may comprise any material (e.g., metal, plastic, glass, ceramic, composite, etc.) as appropriate to the fluid for which the container 320 is intended.

In operation, a user wishing to track his/her water consumption over a period of time fills the container 320 with fluid and positions the indicator 316 adjacent to the “1” character. The indicator 316 in this position indicates to the user that the container 320 holds the first amount of liquid to be consumed. Upon consuming all fluid in the container 320, the user refills the container 320 with fluid and rotates or positions the indicator 316 adjacent to the “2” character. The indicator 316 in this position indicates to the user that the container 320 holds the second amount of liquid to be consumed in the period. The user continues operation of the consumption tracker 310 in this manner until the end of the period of interest.

Alternatively, a user wishing to track his/her water consumption over a period of time fills the container 320 with fluid and positions the indicator 316 adjacent to the “1” character. The indicator 316 in this position indicates to the user that the container 320 is ready for a first portion of liquid to be consumed. Upon consuming the first portion of liquid, the user positions the indicator 316 adjacent to the “2” character; the indicator 316 in this position indicates to the user that the container 320 is ready for a second portion of liquid to be consumed. The user continues operation of the consumption tracker 310 in this manner until all trackable portions are exhausted.

FIG. 5A is a side view of a container system 500 including a consumption tracker 502 and fluid container 514, under an embodiment. FIG. 5B is a side cutaway view of a container system 500 including a consumption tracker 502 and fluid container 514, under the embodiment. FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a container system 500 including a consumption tracker 502 and fluid container 514, under the embodiment. FIG. 7 shows perspective views of a container system 500 including a consumption tracker 502 and fluid container 514, under an embodiment.

The container system 500 of this more specific embodiment includes a cap plunger 502 and a cap grip 504 that, taken together, include components comprising the consumption tracker 502. More specifically, the cap plunger 502 includes a consumption indicator configured or positioned to point to characters on an external region of the cap grip 504; for this reason, in this embodiment, the cap plunger 502 is also referred to as the consumption tracker 502. The container system 500 also includes a cap spring 506, a cap thread 508, a bottle thread 510, a sipper 512, and a bottle or container 514. While dimensions (in inches) are shown on this figure, the dimensions are only provided as examples, and the embodiments herein are not limited to these dimensions.

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of a consumption tracker 810 configured for connection to an outer portion of a container (not shown), under an embodiment. FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of the consumption tracker 810 configured for connection to an outer portion of a container, under an embodiment. The consumption tracker 810 comprises an indicator 816 slidably coupled to a flexible band 800. The flexible band 800 is configured to wrap or bend in order to be wrapped around a fluid container and, as such, functions similar to a container collar. The flexible band 800 includes a latch device 820 at one portion of the band 800, the latch device 820 configured to receive and secure a free end 830 of the band 800 that has been wrapped or placed around a container. In this manner, the consumption tracker 810 can be moved among and securely coupled or connected to containers of different sizes and configurations.

The flexible band 800 of an embodiment comprises a series of detents 840 that allow the indicator 816 to be securely positioned along at least a portion of the length of the band 800. The indicator 816 includes at least one area 816G configured to allow a user to grasp the indicator 816 in order to slide the indicator 816 along at least a portion of the length of the band 800. The flexible band 800 may include a series of characters (not shown) along the band 800. The series of characters can include any sequence of numbers, letters, and/or symbols having any length, where the series of characters represents at least one of a number of portions of a substance, an amount of a substance, and a quantity of a substance consumed from the container.

The fluid container (not shown) to which the flexible band 800 of an embodiment couples or connects can include any container configured to contain a fluid. As an example, the fluid container may have any configuration (e.g., cylindrical, hourglass, un-insulated, insulated, etc.) and any size (e.g., 8 ounces, 12 ounces, 16 ounces, etc.), and may comprise any material (e.g., metal, plastic, glass, ceramic, composite, etc.) as appropriate to the fluid for which the container is intended.

In operation, a user wishing to track his/her water consumption over a period of time secures the flexible band 800 around the container intended for use. The user fills the container with fluid and positions or slides the indicator 816 to a first position (e.g., corresponding to a “1” character). The position of the indicator 816 indicates to the user that the container is holding the first amount of liquid to be consumed. Upon consuming all fluid in the container, the user refills the container with fluid and slides or positions the indicator 816 adjacent to a second position, where the second position is adjacent the first position (e.g., corresponding to a “2” character). This position of the indicator 816 indicates to the user that the container is holding the second amount of liquid to be consumed. The user continues operation of the consumption tracker 810 in this manner until the end of the period of interest.

Alternatively, a user wishing to track his/her water consumption over a period of time fills the container with fluid and positions or slides the indicator 816 to a first position (e.g., corresponding to a “1” character). The indicator 816 in this position indicates to the user that the container is ready for a first portion of liquid to be consumed. Upon consuming the first portion of liquid, the user slides or positions the indicator 816 adjacent to a second position, where the second position is adjacent the first position (e.g., corresponding to a “2” character). The indicator 816 in the second position indicates to the user that the container is ready for a second portion of liquid to be consumed. The user continues operation of the consumption tracker 810 in this manner until all trackable portions are exhausted.

FIG. 10 is a side perspective view of a consumption tracker 1010 configured for connection to an outer portion of a container (not shown), under an alternative embodiment. The consumption tracker 1010 comprises a dial 1012 rotatably coupled to a portion of a flexible band 1000. The dial 1012 includes at least one area 1012G configured to allow a user to grasp the dial 1012 in order to rotate the dial 1012 among multiple positions. The dial 1012 further includes a series of characters 1014 along an outer perimeter. The series of characters 1014 can include any sequence of numbers, letters, and/or symbols having any length, where the series of characters 1014 represents at least one of a number of portions of a substance, an amount of a substance, and a quantity of a substance consumed from the container. The dial 1012 may include detents (not shown) configured or positioned to allow the dial 1012 to be securely positioned so each of the characters 1014 on the dial 1012 is adjacent to an indicator 1016 located on the flexible band 1000.

The flexible band 1000 is configured to wrap or bend in order to be wrapped around a fluid container and, as such, functions similar to a container collar. The flexible band 1000 includes a latch device 1020 at one portion of the band 1000, the latch device 1020 configured to receive and secure a free end 1030 of the band 1000 that has been wrapped or placed around a container. In this manner, the consumption tracker 1010 can be moved among and coupled or connected to containers of different sizes and configurations.

The fluid container to which the flexible band of an embodiment couples or connects can include any container configured to contain a fluid. As an example, the fluid container may have any configuration (e.g., cylindrical, hourglass, un-insulated, insulated, etc.) and any size (e.g., 8 ounces, 12 ounces, 16 ounces, etc.), and may comprise any material (e.g., metal, plastic, glass, ceramic, composite, etc.) as appropriate to the fluid for which the container is intended.

In operation, a user wishing to track his/her water consumption over a period of time fills the container with fluid and rotates or positions the “1” character of the dial 1012 adjacent to the indicator 1016 on the flexible band 1000. The dial 1012 in this position indicates to the user that the container is holding the first amount of liquid to be consumed. Upon consuming all fluid in the container, the user refills the container with fluid and rotates or positions the “2” character of the dial 1012 adjacent to the indicator 1016 on the flexible band 1000. The dial 1012 in this position indicates to the user that the container is holding the second amount of liquid to be consumed. The user continues operation of the consumption tracker 1010 in this manner until the end of the period of interest.

Alternatively, a user wishing to track his/her water consumption over a period of time fills the container with fluid and rotates or positions the “1” character of the dial 1012 adjacent to the indicator 1016 on the flexible band 1000. The indicator 1016 in this position indicates to the user that the container is ready for a first portion of liquid to be consumed. Upon consuming the first portion of liquid, the user rotates or positions the “2” character of the dial 1012 adjacent to the indicator 1016 on the flexible band 1000; the indicator 1016 in this position indicates to the user that the container is ready for a second portion of liquid to be consumed. The user continues operation of the consumption tracker 1010 in this manner until all trackable portions are exhausted.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in a sense of “including, but not limited to.” Words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number respectively. Additionally, the words “herein,” “hereunder,” “above,” “below,” and words of similar import refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. When the word “or” is used in reference to a list of two or more items, that word covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list and any combination of the items in the list.

The above description of embodiments described herein is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments described to the precise form disclosed. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the consumption trackers described herein are described herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of other devices, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The teachings of the consumption trackers described herein provided herein can be applied to other container systems, not only for the container systems described above.

The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. These and other changes can be made to the devices described herein in light of the above detailed description.

In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the embodiments described herein to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all devices that operate under the claims. Accordingly, the embodiments described herein are not limited by the disclosure, but instead the scope of the embodiments is to be determined entirely by the claims.

While certain aspects of the embodiments described herein are presented below in certain claim forms, the inventor contemplates the various aspects of the embodiments in any number of claim forms. Accordingly, the inventor reserves the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of the embodiments described herein. 

1. A system comprising: a fluid container having an opening in an upper portion, wherein the opening passes fluid; a cap that secures to a portion of the opening and controls passage of the fluid through the opening; and a consumption tracker, wherein the consumption tracker is a rotatable portion of the cap that is rotatable among a plurality of positions in the cap, the consumption tracker including an indicator that points to a plurality of characters on a peripheral portion of the cap, the plurality of characters corresponding to the plurality of positions and indicating a number of portions of the fluid consumed from the fluid container.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the cap comprises a cap grip connected to cap threads, wherein the cap threads secure the cap to the fluid container.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the consumption tracker is rotatably coupled to the cap grip, wherein the cap grip includes the plurality of characters.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the consumption tracker is rotatably coupled inside the cap grip.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the consumption tracker includes a handle that can be used to rotate the consumption tracker among the plurality of positions.
 6. A system comprising: a container; and a cap that secures to the container, the cap comprising a cap grip and a cap plunger, wherein the cap plunger is rotatably coupled to the cap grip and is rotatable between a plurality of positions of the cap grip, wherein the cap plunger includes a consumption indicator that points to a plurality of characters on an external portion of the cap grip, the plurality of characters corresponding to the plurality of positions.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the cap includes cap threads that secure the cap to an opening in the container.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the cap threads are coupled to the cap grip and the cap plunger.
 9. The system of claim 6, wherein the cap plunger is rotatably coupled inside the cap grip.
 10. The system of claim 6, wherein the cap plunger includes a handle for use in rotating the cap plunger among the plurality of positions.
 11. The system of claim 6, wherein the plurality of characters indicates one of a number of portions of a substance and a quantity of the substance consumed from the container.
 12. A container comprising a cap with a consumption tracker, wherein the consumption tracker is a moveable portion of the cap moveable among a plurality of positions in the cap, the consumption tracker including an indicator that points to a plurality of characters on the cap, the plurality of characters corresponding to the plurality of positions and indicating a number of portions of a substance consumed from the container.
 13. The container of claim 12, wherein the cap comprises a cap grip connected to cap threads, wherein the cap threads secure the cap to the container.
 14. The container of claim 13, wherein the consumption tracker is rotatably coupled to the cap grip, wherein the cap grip includes the plurality of characters.
 15. A container comprising a consumption tracker, wherein the consumption tracker is moveable among a plurality of positions, the consumption tracker including an indicator that points to a plurality of characters on the container, the plurality of characters corresponding to the plurality of positions and indicating a number of portions of a substance consumed from the container. 